TITLE:  “Past Present Future IXV—Vindication Near"
AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
SUMMARY:  The fourteenth chapter of the PPF series, in which the 
matters of Lt. 
Harmon Rabb Sr. and Sergei Zhukov are re-visited.  All will be Harm-Mac 
stories of 
course, with Clayton Webb; and rated PG for mild language and violence.
DISCLAIMER:  JAG belongs to CBS, Paramount et al.  No copyright 
infringement is 
intended with this work of fiction.
FEEDBACK:  Yes, if you’re moved to do so, to [SSbpmn@aol.com] and it 
would be 
much appreciated by both of us.  However, if your intent is only to 
tell us you are not 
liking our work, please don’t spend the time.  While we realize our 
work does not 
please everyone, we do ask that the journey be respected.


            NOTE:  All parts of this story, as well as much of our 
previous efforts, will be 
available to registered Yahoo users at:  
                     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories
              No subbing is required to read from the message archives.
       
 Other archives where our work may be found:

http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or 
http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag
         
         or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at    
http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html  [sadly, not always up and 
running]
     
     or BTL-
     http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/
     http://destined.to/btlarchive – {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.}

Note:  For purposes of this story, the events of any episode after 
Adrift do not play a 
part.


Previously in the PPF series:    Sergei Zhukov's pursuit of Harm forced 
him to leave 
DC, wanting to be away from anyone Sergei might endanger.  Harm took 
Mac to the 
Ohio area, where they found out just how far the Russian's reach went.


The close of PPF Chapter XIII-
	
     "We have to get out of here" he whispered as he looked around for 
somewhere 
  to turn around. But there were no drives, just large ditches along 
the side 
  of the road.
  
  "Harm talk to me. What's wrong?"
  
  "It's my nightmare" he managed. "This road. I know what's going to 
happen."
  
  Before she could answer a car suddenly came roaring up behind them, 
bumping 
  the back of them. Harm floored the gas pedal but the old Ford was no 
match 
  for the large sedan.
  
  "Harm" Mac screamed as she saw the car pull up beside him.
  
  "Hang on" Harm yelled as the large car plowed into the side of them, 
forcing 
  the small Ford off the road.   
****************  
“Past Present Future IXV-Vindication Near"---

Harm fought the wheel, but the rate of speed which they had been 
traveling made it 
impossible to control and the right side of their car dropped into the 
ditch at the side 
of the road.  A second later it came to rest with a violent impact 
against a telephone 
pole.
 
 It took Harm a few seconds to get his breath and clear his head and as 
soon as he 
could he reached toward Mac, terrified that she had neither moved nor 
uttered a 
sound.  "Sarah honey can you hear me," he whispered, ripping his seat 
belt away 
and cursing the old car for not having air bags.
 
 Her head lolled to one side and when he lifted it to him his hand came 
away sticky 
with dark blood from a gash across her temple where she had impacted 
the side 
window.  "Sarah?  Mac?  Please," he begged.  Her eyes were tightly 
closed, but he 
was relieved to note her breathing was even.  "OK Sarah I'm coming 
around to you 
and then we're going to get some help."  He backed out of his door and 
as he did 
so, he heard the screech of tires.  Praying it was someone along the 
road who could 
help he was about to stand and wave when with a sickening feeling in 
the pit of his 
stomach, he realized it was their assailant returning.  
 
 "Bring it on Zhukov," he breathed, his anger now up full, reaching for 
the glove box 
and the weapons they had stowed there.
 
 The oncoming car stopped twenty feet away and very slowly, weapon in 
hand, 
Sergei Zhukov emerged from the passenger side.  Harm likewise exited 
the car, 
keeping his gun aimed at the man he once called brother.
 
 "I could kill you right now Sergei," Harm shouted, and as he did so 
the window of 
the driver's side slid down and another weapon appeared, a semi 
automatic assault 
rifle like the one in Sergei's hands.
 
 "Yes you could," Sergei told him, "but if you fire, Valerei will cut 
you in half.  And 
then he will leave, and there will be no one to help the woman you 
love.  I assume 
she is hurt or she would be by your side.  A Marine no?"
 
 "Yes she is, and why don't you leave her out of this," Harm growled.  
"She did 
nothing to you.  Nothing to warrant your hatred of her."
 
 "I do not hate her.  I do not even hate you.  But I have a job to do.  
A job I dare not 
leave this wretched country until I complete."
 
 In the silent morning air, Harm heard the sound of the safety being 
removed from 
Sergei's weapon and he prepared to defend himself and the woman who was 
his 
life.
 
 Before Sergei could act further, there came the low hum of another 
engine and over 
the hill behind his sedan, a pick-up truck appeared. 
 
 "Sergei it seems we have a witness."  Harm gestured to the new player 
in the 
game.
 
 Sergei cursed in Russian and quickly stowed the weapon.  "Harmon Rabb 
we will 
meet another time and place," he yelled before his driver took off.
 
 Harm at once turned his attention to Mac, running around the car to 
her side and 
flinging open the door just as the pick up pulled up and stopped.
 
 "You people OK?" the older man shouted as he jumped down, the woman 
with him 
following more slowly.
 
 "No we're not," Harm shouted back, shaking slightly with relief that 
Sergei was 
gone.  "My friend is hurt.  We need some help.  Thank you for 
stopping."  As he was 
speaking he opened the door and Mac all but fell into his arms, giving 
a soft moan at 
the same time.  "She's alive," he breathed, mostly to himself.  "Thank 
god."
 
 "Name's Paul Hammer," the man called as he approached Harm.  "Blowout 
huh?"  
He gestured to the tire now flat and Harm nodded, letting him assume 
that was the 
cause of their predicament, giving a small sigh as the name Hammer hit 
a note deep 
within.  "I would have thought those other people would have stopped to 
help.  Must 
not be from around here.  Well never mind.  That's my wife Lily, and we 
own the 
farm right here.  How's your missus?"
 
 "Missus. . .oh Sarah," Harm gasped, realizing what Paul assumed.  "I'm 
Harm and 
this is Sarah.  And I don't know how badly she's hurt."
 
 "You and her get right in the truck," Paul ordered, "we're taking you 
up to the 
house."
 
 Harm looked around uncertainly, from Paul to the car, down to Mac in 
his arms.  He 
wanted to trust them. She needed care and the car was at the moment not 
driveable.   
 
 A second later a small whimper from her made up his mind.  "Hurts 
Harm.  Head 
hurts."
  
  "I know honey" he soothed. "These nice people are going to take us 
back to 
  their place and then we'll see if you need to go to the hospital."
  
  "This way Harm" Paul directed and moment's later they were all 
crammed into 
  the front seat of the pickup. As promised the drive to the old farm 
house 
  was right down the road and it wasn't long before Mac was settled 
into one 
  of the beds in the farmhouse.
  
  "I'll take care of her" Lily offered as she entered the room with a 
  washcloth and some gauze tape and antiseptic. "I used to be a nurse 
up at 
  the elementary school in my younger days so I'm used to this."
  
  "Thank you" Harm whispered as he sat down on the other side of the 
bed, 
  holding Mac's hand in his. He cringed when he saw the gash once Lily 
had 
cleared away the blood, hoping it wasn't deep enough to require 
stitches.
  
  "She hit pretty hard," Lily said as she cleaned the wound. "Likely 
she's got 
  a concussion."
  
  Harm gulped and looked down at the woman who meant so much to him.
  
  "Harm" Mac murmured and he squeezed her hand.
  
  "I'm right here" he whispered. "Lily's going to clean up that cut for 
you 
  and then we'll see how you're doing."
  
  "Are you okay?" she asked, finally opening her eyes wide enough to 
look at 
  him.
  
  "I'm fine. It's you that we're worried about right now. You took 
quite a hit 
  there."
  
  "I'll get her some aspirin and ice once I've finished cleaning and 
bandaging 
  this" Lily told him. "And of course she'll need to rest. I don't know 
where 
  you two were going but I would suggest you halt those plans for a day 
or 
  two."
  
  "Is there a hotel around?" Harm asked.
  
  "You're looking at it" Lily smiled. "You two are welcome to stay with 
us."
  
  "Ma'am we couldn't" Harm said quickly. "It's very kind of you but we 
can't 
  impose on you. You and your husband have already been kind enough to 
help us 
  out."
  
  "No imposing. This young lady is hurt and I can't see you taking her 
to some 
  flea bag motel when we've got plenty of room here."
  
  "Ma'am really we can't stay. I appreciate all that you've done but 
we'll be 
  getting out of your hair once I know she's okay."
  
  "Harm how do you plan to do that" Lily said patiently. "Your car 
looked 
  pretty beat up back there."
  
  Harm let out a long sigh and realized he would have to find a way to 
get 
  another vehicle. And the only way that would happen would be with 
Clay's 
  help.
  
  "Would it be possible to use your phone to make a long distance 
call?" Harm 
  asked. "I have a friend who can probably help me out."
  
  "Phone's there on the nightstand" Lily said as she stood up. "I'll 
leave you 
  two alone. If you need anything, just give me a holler."
  
  "Thank you" Harm smiled. He waited until she was gone before picking 
up the 
  phone and dialing Clay's number.
  
  "Webb" came the curt reply.
  
  "Clay it's Harm. I need your help."
  
  "Where are you?" Clay demanded. "Are you and Mac okay?"
  
  "No Mac is not" Harm sighed. "Sergei found us. Somehow he knew what 
car we 
  had and has been following us. He ran us off some country road here 
and 
  Mac's hurt."
  
  "Where is here?"
  
  "Ohio. Somewhere between Cleveland and Columbus. I had the feeling we 
were 
  being followed yesterday so I took a detour to Cleveland."
  
  "You know for sure it was Sergei?"
  
  "He was about to finish the job when someone came along," Harm said 
quietly. 
  "He's got help too."
  
  "Harm this is crazy. I think you should come back and let me arrange 
a safe 
  house for you until we can put an end to this."
  
  "I'd love for you to do that for Mac. But I'm not going."
  
  "And she won't go without you" Clay sighed. "Okay so what can I do 
for you?"
  
  "I need another car. Is there anyway you can arrange to get me 
something?"
  
  "You don't want much do you" Clay sighed. "I'll see what I can do. 
But 
  you'll need to be a bit more descriptive than somewhere between 
Cleveland 
  and Columbus."
  
  "I think the sign said West Salem" Harm replied.
  
  "Where are you now?"
  
  "Some nice old couple brought us back to their place. But I don't 
want to 
  stay here Clay. If Sergei tracks us down to here you know he won't 
hesitate 
  to hurt them."
 
 "I know all too well," Clay sighed, with an involuntary glance across 
the room to 
where Madison was at the copier.  "So Sergei is in Ohio.  How is Mac 
anyway?"
 
 "She's got a bad cut on her head where she hit the window," he said 
softly, lowering 
himself wearily to sit on the edge of the bed and smiling when he felt 
her hand run 
down his back.  He knew she was trying to let him know she would be all 
right and 
that he should stop worrying. "I'm just praying it's not a concussion."
 
 "OK, I'm getting the picture."  He glanced over at Madison again, now 
deep in 
conversation with a woman coworker.  His quick mind rapidly formulated 
a plan and 
he turned his back on them to speak into the phone more quietly.  "Can 
you just 
hang tight there a few hours until I can get you some help?
 
 "Clay I told you I don't want to bring trouble onto these people."  As 
he said that 
Paul was coming through the door, bringing a tray of sandwiches and ice 
tea and a 
bottle of pills.  Before he could react, Paul took the phone from him.  
 
 "OK whoever this is, 'these people' are a former Navy Seal and his 
wife who was a 
nurse in Nam which is how we met.  I'm not in the habit of running from 
trouble and 
if I let this young man take this injured woman out of here I'll be 
riding our sofa for a 
week.  They're staying."
 
 With that he handed the phone back to the astonished Naval officer.  
"Uh Clay I 
guess we're staying for a while."
 
 "Yeah I'd say you've gotten your orders," Clay said softly.  "OK, I'm 
going to call you 
back soon as I make some arrangements.  You take care of Mac, OK?  And 
what's 
the number there?"
 
 Harm told him and hung up slowly, his eyes meeting Mac's and then 
turning to 
Paul.  "Thank you.  More than I can say."
 
 "This is some kind of government or military business isn't it?" Paul 
asked casually, 
ignoring his guest's gratitude for the moment.
 
 "Yes sir.  I'm a Naval Commander and Sarah here is a Lieutenant 
Colonel in the 
Marines and it's a hugely long story.  That was a friend of ours who 
tells everyone 
he works for State.  You get the idea?"
 
 Paul raised an eyebrow.  "Of course I do."
 
 "Thank you for trusting us," Mac spoke up and Harm leaned over her, 
cupping her 
cheek.  
 
 "You haven't given me reason not to," Paul said softly.  "Lily said 
eat and have a 
couple of these pills.  The doctor gave them to her for her back last 
year and they're 
great for pain."
 
 "Well I've got plenty of that," she sighed before she could stop 
herself, and was 
immediately sorry at the look of distress that crossed Harm's face.  
"I'm fine.  Relax 
before you worry yourself into that stroke."
 
 "I do worry.  I love you remember," he smiled and kissed her softly 
before helping 
her to take her pills, holding the glass of tea to her lips.  
 
 "They're going to make you drowsy now," Lily warned, coming to check 
on her 
patient.  "I'm glad you're staying.  I heard you all talking from the 
hallway.  We're not 
afraid, and we do keep arms here if needed."
 
 "God must have been looking out for us when he sent us to you," Harm 
sighed, 
feeling a sudden unaccustomed urge to tearfulness.  "Thank you so 
much."
 ==============
 CIA HQ
 With Madison still occupied in conversation, Clay motioned to one of 
his assistants.  
"Phil, I need your help.  I need to get a car to Rabb and Mackenzie."
 
 "Yes sir, where are they?"  Phillip Reinholdt took up his pad and pen.
 ==============
 HAMMER HOME
 30 Mins. later
 
 "You're right, those pills are making me very out of it," Mac sighed 
after finishing 
most of her sandwich.  "Is it OK if I sleep some?  Harm you'll be here 
won't you?"
 
 "No I thought I'd take the afternoon off and go fishing," he groaned, 
helping her to 
lie flat.  "Of course I'm going to be here."  His fingers touched the 
bandage and he 
kissed her dry lips. "Honey I'm so sorry.  I promised I'd keep you safe 
and I'm not 
doing a very good job of it."
 
 "I don't care about anything but that we're together," she reminded 
him firmly, taking 
his hand and pressing the back to her cheek, then tugging her to lie 
down with him.  
 
 He crawled up beside her, his arm going over her in protectiveness and 
looked 
back at Paul and Lily.  "I'll pay you back for this.”
 ==================  
  24 Hours Later
  
  "Hey how you doing?" Harm asked as he stepped into Mac's room again. 
He'd 
  gotten up early and left her sleeping, meandering around the farm 
with Paul 
  while he waited for Clay's man to show up with the car.
  
  "Okay" she said with a small grimace. Despite the rest and the pain 
pills 
  her head still throbbed.
  
  "You don't look it. Mac I think you should let me take you to the 
hospital."
  
  "Harm I'm fine. I just have a little headache that's all. Nothing a 
few 
  aspirin won't take care of." She forced a smile but Harm wasn't 
buying it.
  
  "I'm sorry about this" he whispered as his hand gently touched the 
bandage. 
  "I should never have let you come with me. In fact when Clay's guy 
gets here 
  I should send you back with him."
  
  "Harm I'm staying with you" she said firmly. "So don't even try and 
send me 
  off. Cause it won't work."
  
  "It's only cause I love you so much" he sighed. "I just don't want 
anything 
  to happen to you."
  
  "Nothing will," she said as she pushed back the covers. She swung her 
feet 
  over the bed and pushed herself up, only to nearly fall as a wave of 
  dizziness and nausea rose over her. Harm's quick hands saved her from 
  falling and she clung to him for several seconds.
  
  "You are not okay" Harm fretted as she clung to him. "And don't even 
tell me 
  you are cause you're not."
  
  "I just got up too quick," she said after several deep breaths. "I've 
been 
  laying in this bed since yesterday remember. I'm fine now."
  
  "That's why you're as white as the sheet" Harm groaned. "Mac I'm 
serious. I 
  want to take you to the hospital."
  
  "I'm fine. Now stop arguing and help me to the kitchen. Something 
smells 
  awfully good in there."
  
  He kept his arm firmly around her waist as he led her to the kitchen, 
  helping her into one of the chairs a few seconds later.
  
  "How you feeling Sarah?" Lily asked. "You're not looking much better 
than 
  yesterday."
  
  "I'm fine," Mac said with another forced smile. "Just a little 
headache is 
  all."
  
  "Well I've got some bacon and eggs cooking up. Can I interest you in 
any of 
  that? Harm wouldn't touch anything but toast."
  
  "Same for me" Mac replied, the nausea she'd felt when she'd gotten up 
still 
  remaining with her.
  
  "Harm there's two cars coming up the drive" Paul called and at once 
Harm 
  looked around for his weapon. He and Paul had gone back to the car 
the day 
  before to get their stuff and he quickly retrieved the weapon from 
the 
  bedroom.
  
  "What kind?" Harm asked as he walked to the living room "If it's a 
dark 
  sedan, I want you and Lily to take Mac to the back of the house."
  
  "No, one's an older model wagon and the other is a government car" 
Paul said 
  as he looked out the window.
  
  "Clay" Harm whispered. "Thank god. He's gotten us a car."
  
  "Why don't I go out with you just to make sure it's not some kind of 
trick" 
  Paul said as he reached for his own weapon.
  
  Harm froze at his words, not even thinking of the possibility. "I'd 
rather 
  you didn't but I'm sure you're going to anyway."
  
  "Damn right" Paul said firmly.
  
  Together they walked out to the porch and Harm watched the two men 
climb out 
  of the cars.
  
  "Mr. Rabb. I'm Phil. Clayton Webb sent me."
  
  Harm nodded and looked at the man intently.
  
  "Sir, I can assure you Mr. Webb sent me. And he told me that if you 
seemed 
  to be suspicious to have you call him while I'm here. He said you 
have his 
  private number."
  
  "That won't be necessary," Harm said as he motioned for Paul that it 
was 
  okay. "I just wanted to be sure."
  
  "I understand" Phil said with a small smile. "But he is waiting to 
here from 
  you. He wanted to know what you're planning on doing next."
  
  "I'll know when I start driving" Harm lied. He didn't trust anyone 
but Clay 
  with that information, not entirely sure that Sergei's reach didn't 
go that 
  far.
  
  "Understood" Phil nodded. "Is there anything else I can get you 
before I 
  leave. The car's got a full tank of gas and is ready to go."
  
  "Thanks I think that should do it" Harm replied. "Tell Clay I'll be 
calling 
  him at some point once I decide where I'm going."
  
  Phil nodded and walked to the other waiting car and Paul and Harm 
watched as 
  the car drove off.
  
  "Looks like you got yourself a new set of wheels" Paul smiled as he 
looked 
  at the station wagon.
  
  "And we can get out of your hair" Harm sighed. "I appreciate all 
you've 
  done. You've been very generous considering I couldn't tell you what 
this 
  was about."
  
  "Just glad we could help. Whatever it is it sounds pretty deep and if 
you 
  need anything else I want you to holler. I'm serious."
  
  "If I could leave Mac here with you I would," Harm said with a small 
smile. 
  "At least that way I know she'd be taken care of."
  
  "That young lady is not going to let you go anywhere without her" 
Paul 
  smiled. "You two have something pretty special don't you?"
  
  "Yeah we do. And that's why I don't want anything to happen to her. 
She's my 
  world Paul. If I lost her, I don't know what I'd do."
 
 "You'd find a way to go on," Paul offered.
 
 "No I don't think so," Harm murmured.  "We stayed apart for a long 
time because 
we couldn't make it work, and now we've figured it out--in the midst of 
this mess so 
we're still not together like we want to be.  I do love her.  I would 
die for her in a 
heartbeat."
 
 "God has a way of looking out for people like you two," Paul smiled.  
"Now what?"
 
 "Now I get what's most important to me in this world and get out of 
your life before 
we bring down grief for you and your Lily," he said with a sad smile.  
"Sometimes I 
think it would be a lot better if I just went off someplace alone.  In 
fact that's what I 
would have done but I was more afraid of leaving her back in D.C. 
vulnerable to 
these people.
 
 "She would have tracked you down anyway," Paul shrugged.  "It's called 
love."
 ===========
 "Sarah you OK?"  Lily had walked Mac to the bathroom and now from 
outside was 
sure she heard sounds of her being ill.  "Sarah?"
 
 Mac grabbed a washcloth and wiped her face.  "Yeah Lily thanks.  I'm 
fine," she 
called.  For a moment she rested her head on the cool porcelain and 
prayed she 
was not lying.  Harm had enough on his mind without adding concern 
about her.
 
 "Where's Mac?" 
 
 Harm's voice forced her to her feet and with another wipe of her face, 
she emerged, 
smiling as best she could.  "Right here Sailor.  Just ready to go.  We 
have a 
replacement car?"
 
 "Another fine piece of automotive genius," he grinned, fixing his 
sharp gaze on her. 
"Are you OK?"  Without waiting for her answer he stepped forward and 
cupped her 
cheek.
 
 "Of course.  You worry too much Flyboy."
 
 "Only because I love you."  His arm went around her back as he looked 
to Paul and 
Lily.  "Thank you.  I can't pay you back right now but I will."
 
 "My mama used to say that you repay a kindness by doing another," Lily 
smiled.  
"You're very welcome.  Just take care of each other, and when this is 
all over, 
whatever is wrong, promise me you'll let us know you're OK."
 
 "Will do," Harm nodded and Paul led them outside, noting Lily's frown 
but refraining 
from questioning her.  Lily and Mac exchanged a quick hug and Harm 
carefully 
installed her in the front seat, backing out to shake hands with Paul 
and hug Lily 
thank you.  
 
 "Harm keep a good eye on her," Lily whispered.  "She's not altogether 
well."
 
 "Thanks I will," Harm smiled.  
 
 It was not until they had driven off that Paul turned to his wife of 
so many years.  
"OK Mrs. Hammer what's up?"
 
 "That young woman is not well enough to be traipsing around the 
countryside," she 
sighed.  "I feel so bad for them.  I wish he'd have left her here with 
us to heal some."
 
 "He knew the offer was there, that's all you can do," Paul told her.  
"And I've got 
work to do.  I'll see you later."  
 =============
 Harm took them south into the Ohio hills, following a circuitous route 
on the map, 
eyeing every car that passed them suspiciously, while keeping an eye on 
Mac at the 
same time.  Her head was tilted back and her eyes closed, and she had 
not said a 
word since leaving the Hammer farm.
 
 "How about some juice?  There's a little market coming up.  Something 
cold to drink 
would taste good to me.  And then we can take break.  It's a beautiful 
day and 
there's a lot of great spots to stop and walk a bit."  He reached over 
and stroked her 
cheek with the back of his knuckles.  "Honey?"
 
 "Yeah I'm OK,"  She lifted her head quickly and was immediately sorry 
as the world 
spun before her and she moaned softly.
 
 "You're not but lets not even begin to argue that one," he sighed, 
sending 
heavenward another prayer for her well-being.  "Maybe you'll feel 
better in the air 
and with a cold drink."
 
 She nodded slightly, one hand pressed to her stomach, wishing her 
touch would 
quell the nausea.  
 
 With two bottles of apple juice procured, Harm drove a little ways 
further down the 
road and pulled over next to a stream, hurrying around to her side to 
help her out. 
 
 "This is a beautiful area," she said softly, trying to open her eyes 
and enjoy it, at the 
same time taking in breaths of the clean air.  "Maybe when this is over 
we could 
come back here."
 
 "Anytime you want," he grinned.  "It would make a great spot for a 
honeymoon 
wouldn't it?"  The words were out before he could stop them and her 
gasp was 
audible.  
 
 "Don't make promises you can't keep," she finally got out, her 
surprise making her 
forget her discomfort for the time being.
   
   "I haven't yet," he said softly. "And when this mess is all over you 
and I 
  are going to do some serious planning for the future."
  
  "Sounds good to me" she sighed. "You know that's what I want too."
  
  "But only after this is all done" Harm said quietly. "It's bad enough 
I've 
  dragged you into this and you got hurt."
  
  "I'm fine" she lied, her throbbing head telling her she was anything 
but. 
  But there was also no way she was going to leave him alone to deal 
with 
  Sergei.
  
  "We'll see about that. And we should keep going if you're up to it."
  
  She nodded vaguely and allowed him to help her back into the car, his 
  concern for her growing. He remembered Lily's warning that she wasn't 
well 
  and for a moment he wished he'd left her in their care.
  
  He continued to Hocking, Mac drifting to sleep beside him. He was in 
the 
  Cantwell Cliffs area when she finally awoke again.
  
  "Hey how are you?" he said softly as she lifted her head from the 
seat.
  
  "Pull over" she managed before her hand flew to her mouth. At once he 
pulled 
  the car off the road and she stumbled out, losing what little was 
left in 
  her stomach.
  
  "Easy I got you" Harm whispered as he wrapped his arms around her 
when she'd 
  finished. She fell limply against him and for a moment he thought 
she'd 
  passed out. "Mac" he said anxiously.
  
  "I'm okay" she managed.
  
  "I need to get you to a hospital. You have all the symptoms of a 
concussion 
  and I should never have let you come with me."
  
  "I'm okay" she tried again and he shook his head vehemently.
  
  "You are not. And I'm not going to risk your life like this. It's 
just an 
  hour back to Columbus and that's where I'm taking you. It's where I 
should 
  have taken you in the first place."
  
  "Harm I'll be okay" she sighed.
  
  "Not like this you won't. I'm taking you back to a real hospital and 
that's 
  all there is to it."
  
  "Okay but please don't yell" she whispered as tears of pain slid down 
her 
  face.
  
  "I'm sorry" he whispered. "I'm just so scared you're not going to be 
okay. 
  Why didn't you tell me before that you were feeling like this? Never 
mind, I 
  know. And we'll talk about that when you're better. Right now I just 
want to 
  get you to the hospital and make sure you're going to be okay."
  
  "Harm" she started before her face went blank and she fell limply 
against 
  him.
  
  "God, please let her be okay" Harm prayed as he lifted her into the 
car. He 
  quickly turned the car around to head north to Columbus, not trusting 
the 
  small town hospital in Hocking to take care of her. With his eye out 
for 
  police he sped as quickly as he dared in the old station wagon, the 
city of 
  Columbus soon looming ahead of him.
  
  He'd just started down the exit ramp for the exit marked with a 
hospital 
  sign when he caught sight of a dark sedan two cars behind him.
  
  "Stay calm Rabb" he said to himself. "Not every dark sedan is 
Sergei."
  
  He headed in the direction of the hospital, swallowing hard when the 
sedan 
  turned in the same direction as them. He glanced over at Mac, still 
  unconscious in the seat beside him and he knew he had no choice but 
to take 
  her to the hospital. He was pretty sure Sergei wouldn't make a move 
in a 
  crowded area like this and he hoped he wasn't wrong.
  
  The large Ohio State University Medical Center loomed ahead and he 
pulled 
  the car up to the Emergency Room entrance. The dark sedan stopped as 
if it 
  were going to do the same and as Harm walked around the car to get to 
Mac 
  the window of the sedan rolled down.
  
  "I know where you are Harmon" Sergei's voice boomed. "I will come 
back and I 
  will finish this."
  
  "You leave her out of this" Harm yelled. "This is between you and me. 
Not 
  her."
  
  "You will go without her?"
  
  "Yes."
  
  "Fine. I'll let you know a time and place."
  
  The doors to the ER opened and the sedan with Sergei quickly pulled 
away as 
  one of the orderlies came out.
  
  "Sir can I help you?" he offered as Harm lifted Mac from the car.
  
  "No I've got her," Harm said softly. "But she's hurt bad. She might 
have a 
  bad concussion."
  
  "This way" the orderly said as he motioned Harm inside the ER. He was 
  quickly led back to one of the cubicles where he gently lowered Mac 
onto one 
  of the gurneys.
  
  "What's the problem?" a tall graying man asked as he walked into the 
  cubicle.
  
  "She was in a car accident the other day" Harm said quietly. "She hit 
her 
  head pretty hard. Since then she's been complaining of bad headaches 
and 
  she's vomited at least once that I know of. Probably more than that."
  
  "Okay, why don't you follow Melinda here back to the waiting area" 
the man 
  replied. "I'll see what's going on with your wife."
  
  "She's not my wife" Harm whispered. "At least not yet."
  
  "Come on with me" the nurse named Melinda said gently as she reached 
for 
  Harm's arm. "Doctor Ramsey will take care of her."
  
  "She's going to be okay right?" Harm asked as he looked at the 
doctor.
  
  "I'll let you know as soon as I've had a chance to run some tests" he 
  replied. "I promise as soon as I know something I'll let you know."
  
"This way. l . . uh, I'm sorry I don't think we got your name or hers."
  
  "Harmon Rabb" he sighed. "And Sarah Mackenzie."
  
  "Come on Mr. Rabb" she said gently. "We'll need to get some paperwork 
filled 
  out while the Doctor takes care of her."
  
  "Before we do that I need to make a call" Harm said as he followed 
her back 
  to the main waiting area. It was time to end this with Sergei once 
and for 
  all. With Mac in the hospital, he could meet Sergei and not have to 
worry 
  about her getting involved. But knowing that Sergei knew where she 
was 
  wasn't sitting well with him either. He couldn't leave her alone. He 
needed 
  someone he could trust to stay with her.
  
 "Keeter it's Rabb," he said softly, breathing a long sigh of relief 
that Keeter 
answered.  
 
 "Harm you SOB where are you?  You calling to tell me you're bringing 
Mac for the 
weekend I hope?"
 
 "Yeah I wish," Harm sighed.  "Keeter I have a huge favor to ask of 
you, and I'll be in 
your debt for life.  Hell why not.  I already owe like five people more 
than I can ever 
repay."
 
 "Harm you're babbling.  What's wrong?"
 
 "I'm at Ohio State Medical Center in Columbus," he answered, forcing 
down a sob.  
"We left DC because Sergei was getting too close to other people.  Long 
story short-
-Mac's been hurt.  Sergei.  I need someone here at the hospital to 
watch her."
 
 "Where are you going to be?  And how bad is she?"
 
 "I can't stay here.  Sergei made that clear.  It's going to be over 
soon Jack.  I'm 
going to deal with the man.  No more of this cat and mouse BS."
 
 "So you're going to go have it out with him and I'm going to come stay 
with Mac?"
 
 "Yeah would you?  Could you?" Harm breathed, holding his breath for 
the answer.
 
 "If I get a flight out of here soonest I should be there  this evening 
easy," Keeter told 
him.  "But I'm expecting a kiss for my trouble, and not from you."
 
 "Thanks Buddy, and I'll make sure you collect," Harm sighed.  "See you 
soon."    He 
hung up the phone and began a steady pacing of the corridor, awaiting 
Dr. 
Ramsey's report.
 
 He was pacing the hall a long hour later when the doctor caught up 
with him.  "Mr. 
Rabb we're moving her to a room.  Her tests didn't show anything 
definitive, but she 
definitely is under a good deal of stress.  Her blood pressure numbers 
are off the 
chart right now, which could account for the headaches as well as the 
accident, and 
of course her nausea could be stress related too.  Is there stress in 
her life?"
 
 "Yes sir, and you're looking at the jerk who's caused it," he sighed.  
"Can I see 
her?"
 
 "You can sit with her, but we've given her some pain and blood 
pressure medication 
and she's going to be out of it for a good while."
 
 "Thanks."  Harm wasted no time in locating her room, and as soon as he 
was 
beside her bed, kissed the corner of her mouth.  "I'm here Mac.  For a 
little while."  
Giving in to his own exhaustion, he put his head down onto her stomach 
while he 
wrapped his fingers around hers.  "I love you so much, and that's why I 
have to do 
this," he whispered just before dropping off.
 
 It was three hours later before she stirred, moaning slightly.  
"Harm?"
 
 "Oh yeah," he whispered, alert at once.  "I'm here honey.  Open those 
pretty brown 
eyes and talk to me.  I'm here."
 
 "Harm?"
 
 "We've established that.  Try again," he laughed, giddy with relief.
 
 "Are you OK?"  Her eyes opened half way and her hand convulsed in his.  
 
 "Of course I'm OK.  I'm fine, just worried about you that's all.  I 
love you."
 
 "Love you," she murmured.  "Promise me you won't leave me."
 
 "I can't do that," he replied miserably.
 
 "Harm?"  Her eyes opened full-width at that and with every ounce of 
energy she 
could muster she focused on him.  "Harm please.  What are you 
thinking?"
 
 "I'm thinking about how much I love you," he replied, "and how I'm not 
going to let 
anything happen to you.  That's the one thing that's important to me 
right now.  You 
rest.  It's going to be OK.  That I do promise.  I'm making it my 
business to be sure 
of that."
 
 "Sergei?"
 
 "Is no longer your concern.  I mean it Mac.  You're out of the game.  
I'm going to 
deal with him and end it."
 
 "Harm please no," she gasped and attempted to raise up, only to fall 
back weakly 
onto the pillow, partly at his restraint and partly as a result of the 
dizziness that 
immediately claimed her.
 
 "Behave yourself," he admonished her, pushing her hair back from her 
forehead.  
"It's taken care of.  A done deal.  Rest."
 
 Despite her best effort to keep her eyes open and continue the 
discussion, she 
could not and with a long tearful sigh, let the medication-induced 
sleep claim her.
 
 He sat in total silence for the next two hours, wanting to do nothing 
more than be 
with her until he heard a soft voice behind him.  "Mr. Rabb, excuse me, 
there's a 
note here for you.  I think someone took a message."
 
 Harm could not help but smile at the earnest teenager in her 
candy-striper uniform.  
"Thanks."
 
 His smile died when he read the words, "Conkles Hollow--Cantwell 
Cliffs.  At 
sunset.  You're not there you'll be one sorry JAG lawyer.  Signed--your 
loving 
brother."
 
 "Bring it on Sergei," he whispered.  "Bring it on."
  
  Besides Keeter, he needed to let Clay know what was going on. He 
wasn't 
  going to tell him what he was planning on doing, but he wanted him to 
know 
  what was going on. He slipped from the room and down the hall to make 
the 
  call.
  
  "Harm where the hell are you?" Clay demanded. "Are you and Mac all 
right?"
  
  "No" Harm said with a long sigh. "We're at the Ohio State University 
Medical 
  Center. I had to bring Mac here."
  
  "Is she okay?" Clay asked quietly.
  
  "They think so. But I'm not taking any more chances with her. 
Keeter's on 
  his way and then I'm leaving to go meet Sergei."
  
  "Not alone I hope."
  
  "Clay this is between me and Sergei now. I don't want anyone else 
involved 
  in this. Especially you and Madison."
  
  "Yeah well I don't want her involved either but you know how that 
goes" Clay 
  sighed. "Harm at least wait for me to come down there. I can get a 
ride and 
  be there in an hour or so."
  
  "No" Harm said firmly. "I'll handle this."
  
  With that he broke the connection, leaving a stunned Clay on the 
other end 
  of the phone.
  
  "Something wrong?" Madison asked as she walked into Clay's office. 
"Are Harm 
  and Mac okay?"
  
  "No" he said with a long sigh. "I need to get to Columbus."
  
  "We need to get to Columbus" she corrected. "Remember we're in this 
together 
  mister."
  
  "Not if I can help it" Clay murmured just low enough that she didn't 
hear 
  him. Somehow he would have to find a way to leave her behind with Mac 
and 
  Keeter once he got to Columbus. And somehow he'd have to find out 
where Harm 
  was meeting Sergei before it was too late.
  
  ************
  Harm was pacing Mac's room when he Keeter arrived an hour later.
  
  "Someone call for a bodyguard," he said quietly as he walked into the 
room.
  
  "Keeter thank god" Harm sighed. "What took you so long?"
  
  "Buddy you try and get a last minute flight to Columbus Ohio" Keeter 
  grinned. "Fortunately I know how to charm the ladies at the ticket 
counter 
  and here I am."
  
  "Good, cause I need to get going" Harm said quietly. "I'm meeting 
Sergei at 
  sunset to end this once and for all."
  
  "You look like you need to find a bed first. You look like hell 
Harm."
  
  "Thanks cause that's how I feel. And before we wake Mac up let's take 
this 
  outside."
  
  "She doesn't know you're leaving does she?" Keeter asked once they 
were 
  outside Mac's room.
  
  "She knows but there's nothing she can do about it now" Harm sighed. 
"My 
  mind is made up. And now with you here I don't have to worry about 
him 
  sending someone after her."
  
  "Nice guy" Keeter muttered. "But if he sends someone they'll have to 
come 
  through me first. And that ain't going to happen."
  
  "I knew I could trust you buddy" Harm said with a long sigh. "And you 
know 
  if things don't work the way I think they will tonight, well, I'll 
expect 
  you to take care of Mac for me."
  
  "Hold up one minute Harm" Keeter said seriously. "Are you sure you're 
doing 
  the right thing here. You going off and meeting this guy alone 
doesn't sound 
  like the smartest move."
  
  "I'm not going alone" Harm lied. "Clay is going to meet me. He's on 
his way 
  in." It was a blatant lie but there was no way Keeter was going to 
get him 
  to stay or allow him to go with him. His main concern was for Mac and 
making 
  sure Sergei didn't get to her.
  
  "When? Harm I don't like what you're planning here. Have you given 
any 
  thought to what you're doing?"
  
  "I'm protecting Mac," he said quietly. "And that's all that matters. 
I love 
  her Keeter. I can't lose her."
  
  "Do you think she can stand to lose you?" his friend countered.
  
  "No but she'll have you and Clay to take care of her. Keeter this is 
the way 
  it has to be. You're not going to talk me out of it so save your 
breath."
  
  "Okay but you better get your six back here in one piece then. 
Because that 
  woman is going to kill me for letting you go if anything happens to 
you. As 
  it is I'm going against my best judgment here."
 
 "Keeter please just go with me on this.  I have to do it this way.  I 
have to get this 
man out of my life.  Clay and Madison are working to determine where 
his orders 
are coming from and their people may be able to take care of it that 
way,  But this 
man is not going to stop until he's carried out his mission."
 
 "What in the hell am I supposed to tell her when she wakes up?"
 
 "Well that I love her and that I'll see her soon," he smiled gently, 
taking a long 
breath before he continued.  "On the other hand, while I was waiting, I 
wrote down 
some stuff and the paper is in the drawer of her nightstand.  If I. . 
."  He stopped 
again and shrugged helplessly.  "Just promise me you'll take care of 
her."
 
 "You know I will."
 
 "Thanks," he breathed and motioned for him to stay while he walked 
into the room 
once more, leaning over the bed this time.  "Lord help her to 
understand I have to do 
this," he whispered, kissing her lips ever so slightly, thankful for 
the medication that 
was making her sleep.  In truth if her big brown eyes begged him to 
stay, he was not 
sure he would have the strength to leave her.  "I love you Sarah and I 
want you to 
marry me just as soon as this is all over."
 
 A final kiss and he was gone, giving Keeter a bare nod when he ran 
past him 
 ==============
 With some major calling in of favors, Clay secured a spot for himself 
and Madison 
aboard a company VIP Lear Jet that was heading west and could make a 
stop in 
Columbus easily enough.
 
 "I'll give you a million dollars to stay here," he growled to her as 
she hovered by his 
desk.
 
 "You don't have a million dollars," she retorted, "and no way in hell 
are you going 
alone.  You and I are supposed to be working together.  You want me to 
stay back 
here and bake cookies or something while my man is off doing the real 
work?  Get a 
grip Webb.  You're stuck with me."
 
 His only answer was a glare, but inwardly he made a solemn vow that if 
he had his 
way, she would be no where near any kind of show down with the 
dangerous 
Russian.  
 =====================
 OHIO STATE MEDICAL CENTER
 Three  hours later
 
 "Harm?  Harm where are you?" Mac tossed restlessly, trying to make 
herself come 
awake.  
 
 Keeter looked up from his newspaper and saw her eyes opening slowly.  
"Hey 
Beautiful, relax will you."
 
 "Keeter?  Am I dreaming?"
 
 "No not quite.  But if your dreams have me in them, I want to know 
about it," he 
smiled, stroking her arm gently.
 
 She coughed slightly and Keeter quickly help her cup of water to her 
lips.  "Better?"
 
 "I'd be a lot better if I knew where Harm was."
 
 Keeter looked at her helplessly, wishing for all the world that he had 
rehearsed for 
this moment.
 
 "He's gone after Sergei hasn't he," she whispered, reading his look 
and knowing the 
truth at once.
 
 "I'm sorry," he nodded.  
 
 "Oh Keeter no.  And you let him?  Why did you let him?  You could have 
stopped 
him.  How could you?"  Her eyes flashed indignantly and she attempted 
to sit up.
 
 "Relax Colonel," he told her kindly.  "I couldn't have stopped him 
with a stun gun.  
He's ready for this to end.  And this is his chance to end it without 
you being 
involved and he's going to take it."  Gently he eased her down once 
more, settling 
her carefully.
 
 "Harm told me to take care of you," he said sheepishly in response to 
her raised 
eyebrow despite her distress.
 
 "Well I've got a few things to tell him," she muttered.  "What else 
did he tell you?"
 
 Keeter's gaze dropped to the drawer where the letter rested.  He had 
seen the 
envelope, there as Harm promised, but he had not touched it, and at 
this point saw 
no reason to mention it to her.  "Only the usual BS---that he loves you 
and that he'll 
see you soon."
 
 Her face crumbled at those words and Keeter moved at once to take her 
into an 
awkward hug.
 
 "What the hell is going on here," Clay yelped from the doorway, 
immediately fearing 
the worst.

 "Harm left" Mac wailed as she pulled away from Keeter. "Clay he went 
after 
 Sergei on his own."
 
 "You didn't stop him?" Clay said as he looked at Keeter.
 
 "Webb you know Harm" Keeter sighed. "He had his mind made up and there 
was 
 nothing I could do to stop him.  And he told me you were meeting him 
anyway."  
Clay's look at once told him that wasn't the plan.
 
 "Do you know where he went?" Clay sighed.
 
 "He wouldn't tell me. Just said he was meeting Sergei at sunset."
 
 "Clay you have to find him" Mac whispered as Madison slid past Keeter 
to 
 wrap a gentle arm around her friend. "Before Sergei kills him."
 
 "That won't happen" Clay said quickly. "Not if I can help it. I just 
have to 
 find out where he was meeting Sergei."
 
 "They could be anywhere," Mac said quietly, the situation suddenly 
becoming 
 clearer. "God Clay you might never find him. Sergei could kill him and 
leave 
 him out here somewhere and we'd never find him." Her voice broke and 
she 
 started to sob.
 
 "Mac don't please" Keeter begged, the sight of her tears tearing at 
his 
 heart. "You know Harm better than that. He'll get through this. Hasn't 
he 
 always?"
 
 She nodded but continued to cry on Madison's shoulder.
 
 "Keeter out here" Clay motioned and Keeter followed him outside of the 
room.
 
 "Webb we have to find him" Keeter said once they were outside. The 
only 
 reason I let him go without a fight was because he told me you were 
going to 
 be meeting him. If I'd known that wasn't the case, I would have found 
a way 
 to stop him."
 
 "Okay we have to find out where he went," Clay said quietly. "I would 
 imagine Sergei contacted him somehow while he was here. Maybe someone 
 remembers a call for him or taking a message for him. I'll check with 
the 
 desk and see if they know anything."
 
 "Good idea. When we do find out where he went, I want to go with you."
 
 "I want you to stay here with Mac and Madison" Clay said firmly.
 
 "Why can't Madison stay with Mac" Keeter countered. "She works with 
you 
 doesn't she?"
 
 "Yes but I don't want them alone. What if Sergei sends someone back 
after 
 Mac? Isn't that why Harm left you with her?"
 
 "Yes but I would think that your partner would be able to handle that 
if it 
 happened?"
 
 "I don't want her involved in this as it is" Clay growled as he turned 
away.
 
 "I think I'm getting the picture" Keeter sighed. "So what do we do? 
Harm's 
 out there alone and I'm not liking it anymore than you are but I also 
 promised him I'd take care of Mac."
 
 "And that's what you're going to do" Clay said quietly. "And take care 
of 
 Madison at the same time."
 
 "I don't think she'd going to like you ditching her" Keeter smiled. 
"She 
 looks like the type that can handle herself and isn't going to 
appreciate 
 being left behind."
 
 "Yeah well last time she almost got herself killed because she thought 
she 
 could handle herself" Clay retorted. "I won't let that happen this 
time."
 
 "And here I thought you didn't have a heart" Keeter said with a small 
smile. 
 "Okay Mr. Webb we'll figure out a way to keep these two uninvolved. 
But 
 first you need to find Harm."
 
 "I'll go check" Clay nodded. "I'll be right back."
 
 Keeter watched him go and with a sigh went back into Mac's room.
 
 "Where's Clay?" Madison demanded at once and Keeter couldn't help but 
smile. 
 Yes there was definitely something between Clay and his new partner.
 
 "He went to see if he could find out where Harm might be meeting 
Sergei" 
 Keeter replied. "He'll be back soon."
 
 *******************
 "Hi" Clay smiled to the nurse at the desk. "I'm trying to locate Mr. 
Rabb. 
 He was here earlier with Sarah Mackenzie."
 
 "Yes I remember," she said impatiently. "But I haven't seen him in a 
while."
 
 "I delivered a message to him" a teenage girl spoke up from the other 
end of 
 the station. "If he's the one I think you mean. Real tall and real 
cute. 
 Dark hair and green eyes."
 
 "That's him. Did he say where he was going?"
 
 "No but I sort of read the message" she said sheepishly. "I remember 
it 
 mentioned Conkles Hollow at sunset. I think it was from his brother."
 
 "Okay good" Clay said with a deep breath. "Where's Conkles Hollow?"
 
 "About an hour an half south of here. In Cantwell Cliffs State Park. 
Real 
 pretty area. Lots of neat rock formations and cliffs."
 
 "Thanks" Clay said as he slowly walked away. He had to find Harm and 
quick. 
 And he had to do it without Madison. He glanced down the hall to the 
room 
 Mac was in and with a long sigh did the only thing he could. He walked 
out 
 of the hospital and headed to Conkles Hollow alone.

A half hour passed before Madison and Mac realized it, as Madison 
continued to 
comfort her and Keeter wandered back out, staying within sight of the 
room but 
avoiding their questions for the moment.  As for Madison, she had not 
known the 
Marine long but some of the closeness Clay felt to her and the man she 
so 
obviously loved was wearing off on her.

"OK now where did Clay go," Madison murmured finally, realizing neither 
man was 
in sight.

"Hey I don't know but I suspect the man who can tell us just walked 
in," Mac sighed, 
pointing to Keeter.  "You were avoiding us Mister.  Why?  And remember 
I still 
outrank you, even though I look and feel less like a Lieutenant Colonel 
at the 
moment than possibly at any time in my career."

"Look I'm not really wanting to get into the middle of any of this," 
Keeter sighed.  
"Madison, Clay has a line on where Harm might be and he went to help 
him.  
Despite Harm not wanting him to know."

Madison's eyes narrowed sharply.  "OK I'll just be going to join him.  
Where are they 
Commander?"

"I have no idea," Keeter told her at once, his eyes wide with honesty.  
"Harm did not 
confide in me, and neither did your Mr. Webb--for just this reason I'm 
sure."

"Why don't I believe you," Madison raged, worry for Clay taking over 
her reason.  
"You men are all alike you know that.  You stick together don't you.  
The two of you 
set his up.  Where are they Mr. Keeter?  Where did they go?  And I 
don't care if Clay 
made you promise not to tell.  I'm his partner and I belong with him."

Keeter looked to Mac, his eyes begging her corroboration.  

"Hey Madison, he's telling the truth I think," Mac said softly, reading 
nothing but 
honesty in his face.
 
"Thanks," he sighed.  "Look I don't know where they are.  Honest.  Clay 
found out 
but he did not tell me how.  And that's the truth.   And I wanted very 
badly to go with 
him, but he refused.  And truth be told if I had gone and something had 
happened to 
Mac Harm would never have forgiven me.  So please, give me a break 
here.  I know 
you care a lot about the guy--hell he cares about you.  That was very 
very obvious."

"Yeah I do care about the jerk," Madison yelped.  And that's why I 
wanted to be with 
him on this.  To be with him and Harm both and I'm quite capable of 
taking care of 
myself.  This was our case--well it was assigned to me.  I mean I was 
assigned to 
Clay.  I mean the case was given to me to assist on because I'm a 
Russian linguist 
and at this point I'm so angry I'm not sure what I'm saying."

"Breathe, please," Keeter begged, looking mildly amused until Mac's 
look squelched 
him.  "Sorry.  Look I don't know what to say except that none of this 
is my fault."

"Oh you're a man aren't you?" Madison snapped.

"Guilty," Keeter said quietly, looking so hurt that Mac was forced to 
laugh despite 
her frustration and she pulled him to her to kiss his cheek.  "Look we 
know how 
Harm and Clay can be but Keeter you have to understand how dangerous 
Sergei 
is."

"I can understand from now until the second coming and it's not going 
to help you or 
them," he groaned, giving Mac a gentle push back onto her pillow.  
"What is going to 
happen is that you two are stuck here with me until we hear from them.  
I do not 
plan to answer to an angry sailor or CIA agent why I let something 
happen to the 
most important woman in their lives."

"If Clay found out where Harm went, I can too," Madison announced, 
rising from 
Mac's bed.  "Excuse me."
===================
Between the map, signs and a kindly woman at a corner market, Harm 
wended his 
way to the Conkles Hollow area.  Another time it's natural beauty would 
haven left 
him breathless; now he simply wanted to do what he came for.

In the chill of early evening, the area was deserted, and he drew a 
deep breath of 
the cold fresh air.  "OK Sergei I'm here," he called softly, not 
expecting an answer.  
"Let's see what you've got."  With his weapon tucked in the back of his 
waistband he 
slowly moved away from the car.  The rosy hues of sunset painted the 
sky and he 
took another breath, feeling unaccustomed tears in his eyes as he 
thought of the 
women he had left.  "God be sure she knows I love her," he whispered, 
his eyes 
fixed on the sunset.   
 *****************
 "Dammit Clay answer" Madison moaned as she walked the hallway. There 
was no 
 answer and she knew he was purposely not answering because he knew she 
would be calling. She left a curt voice mail for him to call her but 
she knew he 
 wouldn't.  "I should have known you'd do something like this" she 
complained 
 to herself as she slammed the phone shut.
 
 "Ma'am is everything okay? Is there anything I can help with?"
 
 Madison looked over at the young candy striper and let out a long 
sigh. 
 "Not unless you know where my stubborn partner went."
 
 "Who's your partner?" she asked.
 
 "Clayton Aaron Webb" Madison sighed. "He was supposed to be checking 
to see 
 if anyone knew where our friend Harm went."
 
 "He did and I told him" the young girl replied.
 
 "Where did they go?" Madison demanded. "You know?"
 
 "I read Mr. Rabb's note from his brother when I delivered it. Mr. Rabb 
was 
 supposed to be meeting his brother at Cantwell Cliffs at sunset. Which 
is 
 about now I guess."
 
 "Where's Cantwell Cliffs?"
 
 "You and your partner obviously aren't from the area are you?" she 
smiled. 
 "He asked the same thing."
 
 "No we're not. We're from DC actually."
 
 "So what are you doing here in Ohio?"
 
 "I can't really say" Madison said patiently. "But please, you need to 
tell 
 me where this Cantwell Cliffs is. It's very important."
 
 "South about an hour and a half in the Cantwell Cliffs area" she 
replied. "But 
 it closes at sunset. And trust me they don't let you hang out there 
when 
 it's dark."
 
 "Thank you" Madison breathed. "I really appreciate this."
 
 "No problem. Just tell me one thing, do you two work for the feds or 
 something?"
 
 "State department" Madison said giving Clay's usual line.
 
 "Yeah right" the girl laughed as she walked away.
 
 "Mac I know where they are" Madison said as she hurried into Mac's 
room. 
 "Where's that traitor Keeter?"
 
 "He needed the little boys room" Mac smiled. "How did you find out 
where 
 they are?"
 
"I ran into the candystriper who'd told Clay about the message Harm got 
 from Sergei. Harm was meeting Sergei at Cantwell Cliffs."
 
 "Cantwell Cliffs" Mac fretted. "Madison I don't like the sound of 
this. Harm 
 could be walking into a trap."
 
 "And so is Clay" Madison said quickly. "Which is why I'm going down 
there to 
 find them."
 
 "Not alone you're not" Mac protested.
 
 "I'm not taking your bodyguard."
 
 "I wasn't talking about taking him," Mac said as she pushed back the 
covers. 
 "Find me my clothes and we'll go together."
 
 "Mac are you crazy" Madison said as she stared at her. "Harm will 
freak if 
 he finds out you left the hospital."
 
 "As long as he's alive to freak, I can live with that" she said as she 
swung 
 her legs over the side, ignoring the dizziness. She took several deep 
 breaths before finally standing up.
 
 "Mac he's going to kill me for allowing you to do this" Madison 
fretted.
 
 "No he'll kill Keeter for leaving us alone long enough to do this" Mac 
 smiled.
 
 "Maybe we should tell Keeter" Madison said slowly. "It might be 
helpful to 
 have him around."
 
 "Keeter will never let us go" Mac said as Madison helped her dress. 
"He's 
 duty bound to Harm and Clay to take care of us and there's no way 
he'll let 
 us go. So we're going to go without him."
 
 Two minutes later they slipped quietly out of the room, Keeter 
stepping off 
 the elevator just as they stepped into the stairwell. He walked into 
the 
 room and let out a litany of swear words when he realized they'd 
ditched 
 him. He hurried from the room, looking around for any sign of them. He 
 spotted the back stairwell and hurried to it.
 
 "Mac, Madison" he called as he hurried down the stairs.
 
 He heard the door slam at the bottom and he quickened his pace down 
the 
 steps. He could only guess that they'd found out where Harm and Clay 
were 
 and were going after them. Problem was he had no idea where they were.
 
 He finally reached the bottom and hurried outside, looking around for 
them. 
 He spotted them making their way across the parking lot and hurried 
after 
 them as he yelled for them.
 
 "Mac stop" he yelled.
 
 "He's on to us" Mac groaned. "We'll never get away from him."
 
 Before Madison could reply two men stepped out from the shadows, 
grabbing 
 the two women from behind.
 
 "Keeter" Mac screamed before a hand quickly covered her mouth.
 
 "Mac" Keeter yelled as he saw the two men grab them. "No"
 
 He was just about to them when an arm shot out, leveling a blow to the 
back 
 of his head that sent him to the ground in a heap. He was quickly 
swung over 
 the shoulder of his assailant and loaded into the van where Mac and 
Madison 
 already were.
 
 *******************
 Feeling guilty for ditching Madison, Clay pulled into the Cantwell 
Cliffs parking area 
and finally turned on his cell phone to call her and explain why he'd 
left her behind. 
He saw the message icon and knew it was her. He listened to her message 
and with 
a sigh dialed her cell phone number.
 
 "Hello" It was Madison's voice, but he knew immediately something was 
wrong.
 
 "Madison, it's me. What's wrong? Is Mac okay?"
 
 Before she could reply the phone was ripped from her hand and she let 
out a 
 small cry.
 
 "Madison" Clay screamed. "Madison what's wrong?"
 
 The connection was broken and Clay screamed her name as he slammed 
down the 
 phone shut. He hit redial and waited as it rang.
 
 "Answer please" Clay begged. "Madison, please answer."
 
 When the connection was finally made, he blurted her name out 
anxiously. 
 "Madison are you okay?"
 
 "Not anymore" a voice with a heavy Russian accent laughed before 
 disconnecting again.
 
 
 The End
	Watch for the next Chapter of Past Present Future coming soon.